Introduction to Optics

[Scythe13]

(14 April 2014, 16:48)SlyUrbanFox Wrote: What are the benefits of binoculars over scopes? I'm one eye dominant so have only ever bought scopes. Aren't binoculars just twice as heavy and bulky?

That's a very fair question. The simple answer is, binoculars are a damn sight (no pun intended) easier to use than scopes. As humans, we need 2 eyes to give better depth perception. The same is true with optics. Granted a scope is used with one eye, but we estimate distance with both eyes open then adjust the scope accordingly. We don't see an object, then suddenly cover one eye to estimate the distance as well as we can. If we have a scope, and we are unsure of the distance to the object, we look up then check with both eyes open. Better depth perception.

Another thing, as I said binoculars are easier to use, but I did not really go into why. Well, they are easier to hold steady, easier to hold up on 'target' and adjust the focus. Oh, and they can be used to account for the weakness or strength of certain eyes. I am hugely left eye dominant, but I'm right handed...so have a slight issue with using scopes (easily rectified with practice and a lot of patience...those whom have seen me should really wouldn't know I was using the scope on my weak eye). However, when I use binocs, I am able to account for my right eye weakness, and adjust the binocs accordingly. This allows me to get brilliant vision over the distance. Much better than had I used a monocular or a scope...even if it was used with my dominant eye.